Cigarette Lighter Tether

ABSTRACT

A device is provided which semi-permanently attaches a lighter to a smoking device. The attachments may be easily separated at either end of the device, but securely fastens the lighter to the smoking device so that a lighter is always convenient to the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device which tethers a cigarette style lighter to a smoking device, such as a pipe or water pipe for convenience.

BACKGROUND

Cigarette style lighters (hereinafter “lighters”) are common around in the world and in various forms. Lighters are used for many purposes besides lighting cigarettes, for example, pipes, cigars, water pipes, or candles can be lit with cigarette lighters. Lighters are frequently misplaced or taken and therefore inconvenient to users when needed. This may result in the purchase of additional lighters which creates redundant cost and waste for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses a device which semi-permanently attaches a lighter to a smoking device. The attachments may be easily separated at either end of the device, but securely fastens the lighter to the smoking device so that a lighter is always convenient to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device being used with a typical cigarette lighter and a water pipe for smoking.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device with a typical cigarette lighter and an empty connection for a smoking apparatus, such as a pipe.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device being used with a typical cigarette lighter and a package of cigarettes.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device with empty connections at both ends.

FIG. 5 is a close up of one possible method of connection to a typical cigarette lighter of an embodiment of the device.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the device being used with a water pipe, without labels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, “25 to 100” means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100, and includes both 25 and 100.

The present application discloses a device which attaches a lighter to a smoking device, such as a pipe or water bong. The device has many embodiments including but not limited to, what is described below. All of the embodiments perform the same basic function, connecting a lighter to a smoking device. In this disclosure, a band refers the part of the device which may attach to a smoking device. A loop is the part of the device which may attach to a lighter.

FIG. 1 shows a typical use of the device, 101. The band, 103, is attached to a water pipe, 104. The loop, 102, is attached to a typical cigarette lighter. The midsection of the device is generally long enough for the user to comfortably operate the lighter where it is needed to use the smoking apparatus. In the embedment in FIG. 1, the midsection is made of a cord strung with decorative beads. The midsection may be made of any suitable tethering material. The midsection may be decorated with beads or other ornaments. The loop and band are an elastic material. The structural cord of the midsection is passed through the elastic material and folded back onto itself.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 attached to a cigarette lighter, but not attached to a smoking device.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device being used with a package of cigarettes, 301.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the device using coil bracelet material, 402. This loop, 401, may be made of flexible material to stretch over the lighter. The loop may also have a high friction coefficient in order to retain the lighter in place. The outer surface of the band, 403, and/or the loop, 401, may have a nylon covering which may include a brand name or a particular color or pattern.

FIG. 5 shows how a rivet may be installed into the band or loop. A pin with an enlarged end fits through the metal ring. The enlarged end prevents the pin from escaping the inner side of the loop or band while a metal ring on the outer side allows a metal crimp to attach to the midsection of the device. Other embodiments may use other types of connection between the tether and the band or loop.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device using a hook fastener system. This embodiment may be fastened around a pipe or water pipe. The opposite end of the device may attach to a cigarette lighter with a flexible material that fits tightly around the lighter. The device may have ornamental beads strung onto the tether between the smoking device and lighter. Several links of chain at the smoking device end may allow the tether to attach to a hook further up the length of the tether. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tether to connect an incendiary source to a smoking apparatus comprising of an attachment point to a smoking apparatus, a midsection, and an attachment point to an incendiary source.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device has elastic attachment points.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device has an elastic midsection between the attachment points. 